Gripping-type can carrier handle



Jan. 10, 1967 w. E. HIDDING 3,297,351

GRIPPING-TYPE CAN CARRIER HANDLE Original Filed June 1, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 30 v Jl 1" ml "1E IJM- 1 INVENTOR,

4 4g 53 45 46 BY 46 J0 ajwm Jan. 10, 1967 w. E. HIDDING GRIPPING-TYPE CAN CARRIER HANDLE Original Filed June 1, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVENTOR United States Patent Ofifice 3,297,351 Patented Jan. 10, 1967 Claims. (Cl. 294-33) This is a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 371,599 which was filed June 1, 1964.

This invention relates generally to carrier handles and more particularly to carrier handles for assembly with containers which are not originally provided with integral handles.

Merchandise provided with a handle outsells comparable merchandise without any handle, especially if heavy or bulky goods are involved. Recognizing this fact, manufacturers of metal cans have for many years attached wire bails or formed sheet metal handles to many of their cans intended for packaging paint, varnishes and household floor waxes. However, the soldered connections required in attaching handles of these types have deleterious elfects on the resinous linings needed to protect the metal against the corrosive action of such products as permanent antifreeze and liquid detergents.

Therefore, an important object of the present invention is to provide a carrier handle that can be coupled to the exterior structure of metal cans and other containers having exposed ridge formations.

A more general object of the invention is to provide a new and improved container carrier handle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carrier handle that is arranged to promote and preserve its gripped attachment to a container.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a carrier handle that is arranged to use the combined weight of the suspended container and its contents to increase the tightness of the grip on the container.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide a carrier handle that is arranged to prevent the development of a substantially reflected section between the points of gripped attachment to the container assembled therewith.

A further object of the invention is to provide a carrier handle that facilitates stacking of containers to which it is attached.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a carrier handle that is easy to attach to containers and that is convenient to use.

And a yet further object of the invention is to provide a lightweight, inexpensive and corrosion resistant carrier handle.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the following descriptions.

A device in accord with the invention includes a plurality of equiangularly disposed radial arms that are provided with gripping means for use in coupling the device to a container at ridge formations thereon. A device in accord with the invention also includes a bridge assembly that is connected to the radial arms inwardly of the gripping means thereof. This bridge assembly includes a graspable portion for use in providing a lift and is particularly adapted to resist the development of a substantially reflected section inwardly of the gripped locations.

In order that the principles of the invention may be readily understood, several embodiments thereof, applied to use with metal cans but to which the application is not to be restricted, are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier handle constructed in compliance with the invention and arranged for mounting to a container provided with a crimp-andexpand closure;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing the carrier handle of FIG. I mounted to such a container, the graspable portion of the carrier handle being elevated into position for use in providing a lift;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the central portion of the carrier handle as illustrated in FIG. 3 but with the container removed;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view in cross-section, taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3 and illustrating the attached state of the carrier handle;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1 to show the central portion of the carrier handle in its unattached state;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of an edge of the central portion of the carrier handle, specifically showing the rigid depending distal portion and the cooperating hook which are used in mounting the carrier handle to the crimp-and-expand closure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention, shown attached to a conventional cylindrical or so-called open top can;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, side elevational view in crosssection, taken substantially along the line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view showing coaction between the handle device and the top.double seam of the container of FIGS. 8 and 9, further illustrating use of the stacking rib of the carrier handle in receiving an overlying stacked container which is indicated in broken outline;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a further modified carrier handle of the general style of the carrier handle of FIGS. 8l();

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view in central crosssection showing the carrier handle of FIG. 11 with the graspable portions bent up for providing a lift;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a still further modified embodiment of the carrier handle of the invention; and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged, side elevational view in crosssection taken substantially along the line 14-14 of FIG. 13.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, a carrier handle constructed in compliance with the principles of the invention is there indicated generally by the numeral 20. The carrier handle 20 is adapted for assembly with a metal container 22 which is provided with a crimp-and-expand closure 24. The handle device 20 includes a plurality of radial arm members 26 and a bridge assembly 28. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, four radial arm members 26 are equiangularly disposed and are laterally spaced apart by U-shaped, radially outwardly opening notches 30. cooperatively, the bridge assembly 28 comprises a central hub portion 32 that is employed in interconnecting the arm members 26, the bridge assembly 28 additionally including a flexible bail or graspable portion 34 that is used in providing alift.

Turning to a consideration of FIG. 5, the container 22 is seen to include a top end 36 which is fashioned with an upstanding collar or throat 38, collar 38 defining a filling opening that cooperates with the crimp-and-expand closure 24 in sealing the filled can. In attachment of the closure 24 to the container 22, the collar is flared out-. wardly and into inverted, frusto-conical shape in order to retain the closure 24; and it should be observed that the marginal cut edge of the closure 24 and the angulated throat 38 combine to establish an annular ridge formation 40. In compliance with an important feature of the invention, the radial arm members of the carrier are arranged to grip spaced regions of such a ridge formation or spaced regions of separate ridge formations.

The several radial arm members 26 are similarly constructed; and considering FIG. 7 for a description of the gripping means used in coupling the carrier handle to the crimp-and-expand closure 24, a radial arm member 26 is seen to include a generally horizontal upper portion 42 which is adapted to overlie the ridge formation 40. The radial arm member also includes a rigid depending distal portion 44 for confronting the ridge formation from a position radially outwardly thereof. A hook element 46 extends inwardly from the distal portion 44 for use in grippingly contacting the lower edge of the corresponding ridge formation, and a stop element 48 is substantially rigidly suspended from the upper portion 42 at a location spaced inwardly from the distal portion 44. The stop element 48 confronts an upper region of the distal portion 44 for use in opposing angular movement of the distal portion relative to a ridge formation assembled therewith. The action of the stop element 48 preserves gripping engagement of the ridge formation by the hook element 46. As is shown in FIG. 4, the stop elements 48 are fashioned as confluent, depending ribs disposed adjacent the notches 30 on opposite sides of each radial arm member 26; and returning to FIG. 7, each stop element 48 is seen to terminate in a downwardly and inwardly declined stop surface 50 which serves as the active member in gripping the inner surface of the ridge formation of the assembled container.

In compliance with another important feature of the invention, the bridge assembly 28 is arranged to resist the development of a substantially reflected section inwardly of the distal portions 44 and at its junctures with the several radial ann members 26. While various means are.

contemplated for achieving this advantageous condition, in the embodiment of FIGS. 17, the central hub portion 32 of the bridge assembly 28 is made comparatively rigid and the ends of the flexible bail portion 34 are attached to the hub portion 32 at positions inboard of the distal portions 44. Specifically, the hub portion 32 is made imperforate and the notches 30 are provided outwardly of the limits of the hub portion in order to make the periphery of the composite assembly more flexible than the center. Thus, the hub portion or center of the composite assembly tends to resist deformation upon lifting of the load defined by the container 22 and its contents. Suitable rigidity in the central hub portion 32 may also be achieved by providing it with a cross-section of suitable thickness. In addition, the material for the composite assembly may be selected to be somewhat elastic; and cooperatively, the hub portion 32 may be provided with a slight crown as is well illustrated in FIG. 6. Upon stretching of the radial arm members into assembled condition with a crimp-and-expand closure, this crown will be drawn out and flattened somewhat; but the tensile stresses thus stored in the hub portion 32 will act to draw the distal portions 44 of the radial arm members 26 radially inwardly whereby to resist the development of a substantially reflected section inboard of these distal portions.

As is well shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the ends of the bail portion 34 are attached to the central hub portion 32 at the respective roots of a diametrically disposed pair of notches 30. With the bail portion 34 so positioned and upon imposing lifting force on the bail portion, a deflected rather than a reflected section tends to develop in a circle which corresponds substantially with the roots of the several notches 30. The deflected section tends to urge the hook elements 46 in a radially inward direction whereby to enhance the gripped engagement with the ridge formation 40. In order to insure and promote the development of a deflected section and prevent or resist the development of a reflected section, a depending fulcrum ring 52 is mounted to the underside of hub portion 32 as is well shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. When the hub portion is stretched radially in assembly of the carrier handle to the container, the subsidence of the pre-established crown on the hub portion tends to move the lower end of the fulcrum ring 52 into contact with the upper surface of the closure 24, thus stabilizing the shape and position of the hub member. This contact between the fulcrum ring 52 and the crimp-and-expand closure 24 is illustrated in FIG. 5.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 5, the tensile forces stored in the hub member upon stretching assembly of the carrier handle to the closure 24 are suggested by the arrows T, and the upward forces imposed by the lifting action are indicated by the arrows L. Similarly, the force that results form the Weight of the lifted container and its contents acts on the carrier handle substantially along the lines W. These combined forces tend to cause rotation of the distal portions 44 in the direction indicated generally by the arrows 54. Accordingly, the combined weight of the suspended container and its contents tends to increase the tightness of the grip on the ridge formation 40.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bail portion 34 is advantageously fabricated with a medial region 56 of reduced thickness and therefore increased flexibility. The medial region 56, because of its relative flexibility, facilitates grasping and initial deformation of the bail portion from its normal position substantially coplanar with the hub portion 32, shown in FIG. 1, to its use or carrying configuration, illustrated in FIG. 2.

The bridge assembly 28 and the radial arm members 26, together with their respective component elements, are advantageously fabricated into an integral unit; and this integral fabrication is readily achieved by molding the carrier handle 20 from a suitable resinous plastic material. Suitable toughness and resiliency, suitable elasticity and corrosion resistance, and both ease and economy of manufacture are also achieved in this manner.

l Various polyolefinic resins and graft polymers of the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene type have proved eminently useful in making the carrier handle of the invention.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has i been thus far shown and described, it should be understood, of course, that the invention is not strictly limited thereto since many modifications may be made. Therefore and in order to enhance the understanding of the invention, as well as to describe certain additional features, several modified embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 8-14. Since the embodiments of FIG'S. 8-14 incorporate certain elements that are similar to those found in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, like numerals have been used to designate like parts with the suflix letter a" being employed to distinguish those elements associated with the embodiment of FIGS. 8-10, with the sufiix letter b being employed to distinguish the components incorporated in the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, and with the sufl'ix letter c being utilized to differentiate those elements associated with the embodiments of FIGS. 73 and 14.

The several embodiments of FIGS 8-14 inclusive are generally characterized by their assembly with a container having a top double seam which defines the necessary, spaced ridge formations. The embodiment of FIGS. 8-1O is particularly characterized by several features. Among these are the provision of the radial arm members 26a as a diametric pair and the fashioning of the bridge assembly 28a to comprise a resiliently stretchable or elastic element which may therefore act as a tensionable member for resisting the development of a substantially reflected section or sections inwardly of the distal portions of the radial arm members. The bridge assembly 28a specifically comprises a strap or band 58. The upper portions 42a of the radial arm members are fashioned in the form of sector plates, and the band 58 is connected between the sector plates of the respective radial arm members. The band 58 is selected to take a length such that, when the carrier handle 20a is assembled to a container 60, tension is drawn between the opposite distal portions 44a as is shown in FIG. 9.

The band 58 also defines a graspable element; and because the carrier handle 20a is tensioned between its opposite distal portions, the container 60 is of a type which is provided with a cover 62 having a depressed or relatively deeply drawn central region 64. This depressed region 64 provides finger access beneath the tensioned band 58. The tension in the carrier handle 200 makes the span between the distal portions 44a substantially non-deformable, causing this Span to act like a rigid member particularly at regions radially outwardly of the portion actually gripped in carrying the assembled container. If, for example, lifting force is applied along the line L in FIG. 9, the carrier handle will develop a deflected section where this force is applied, i.e., the portions outwardly thereof Will take on a slight downward slope or declination. This is opposed to a reflected section where the outward portions would take on an upward slope or inclination. Radially outwardly of the deflected section along line L, the carrier handle acts substantially as if it were a rigid member due to the tensile forces imposed thereon.

The container 60 includes a top double seam 66, best seen in FIG. 10, and this scam serves to define the spaced ridge formations to which the radial arm members 26a are cooperatively attached. Continuing with reference to FIG. 10, the hook element 46a will be seen provided in thickened and blunted form, and both the distal portion 44a and the immediately adjacent area of the upper portion 42a will also be seen provided in relatively thick sections. These thick areas make the distal portion 44:: rigid and prevent an unfolding of the marginal structure of the radial arm members such as would release the top double seam 66.

With further reference to FIG. 10, the carrier handle 2%. is also characterized by the provision of stop element 48 in arcuate shape, the outer or stop surface 50a of the stop element 48a being provided with a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the double seam 66 whereby to abut the double seam with substantial surface contact therewith. This increase in con-tact between the stop surface and the opposed wall of the ridge formation that is defined by the double seam enhances the gripping engagement achieved by the radial arm members.

In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, an arcuate stacking rib 68 is mounted on the upper portion 42a to rise therefrom for use in promoting fitted receipt of a vertically superiorly positioned container 70.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the carrier handle 20b differs from the carrier handle 20a primarily in the provision of bowed side straps 72 which are disposed on opposite lateral sides of the band 58b for connection to the respective radial arm members at junctures 74. The straps 72 are made flexible so that they may be bent u-pwardly as shown in FIG. 12 to form a convenient grip for use in lifting and carrying the container to which the carrier handle 20b is assembled. It is to be recognized that the provision of straps 72 relieves the band 58b of its function as a graspable member and, in addition, develops two deflected sections respectively at the junctures 74 on each of the upper portions 42b.

The carrier handle 20c of FIGS. 13 and 14 is characterized by arranging the bridge assembly 280 thereof to include laterally spaced apart bands 76 that serve as tensionable members similar to the band 58. However, in order to develop a suitable bail or graspab'le portion, the bridge assembly 28c is arranged to include an upwardly formed strap 78 which is situated laterally intermediate the bands 76. As is well shown in FIG. 14, the strap 78 includes angulated legs 80 and a flexible medial element 82. The legs 80 are connected respectively to the spaced radial arm members 260, and these legs are themselves interconnected by the flexible medial portion 82 which serves as the actual graspable element.

The specific examples herein shown and described are to be considered as being primarily illustrative. Various changes beyond those described will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art; and such changes are to be understood at forming a part of this invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A handle device for use in carrying container means of the type including spaced ridge formations, said handle device comprising: a plurality of equiangularly disposed radial arm means having gripping means for use in coupling said handle device to said container means at said ridge formations; and bridge means connected to said radial arm means inwardly of said gripping means, including a comparatively rigid central portion forming a hub for said radial arm means and including a flexible bail portion attached to said central portion inboard of said gripping means whereby to resist the development of a substantially reflected section inwardly of said gripping means and including a graspable portion for use in providing a lift.

2. A handle device according to claim 1 wherein each of said radial arm means includes an upper portion for overlying a said ridge formation-and a rigid depending distal portion for confronting the corresponding ridge formation from a position outwardly thereof and wherein said gripping means includes hook means extending inwardly from said distal portion for grippingly contacting the corresponding ridge formation.

3. A handle device according to claim 2 wherein said radial arm means further includes stop means rigidly suspended from said upper portion, spaced inwardly from said distal portion and confronting an upper region of said distal portion for opposing angular movement of said distal portion relative to the corresponding ridge formation whereby to preserve gripping contact of the ridge formation by said hook means.

4. A handle device according to claim 1 wherein said bridge means includes fulcrum means suspended from said central portion adjacent the margins thereof for contacting an underlying portion of said container means whereby to promote resistance to the development of a said reflected section.

5. A handle device according to claim 4 wherein said fulcrum means are disposed radially inwardly of the points of attachment of said bail portion.

No references cited.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. A HANDLE DEVICE FOR USE IN CARRYING CONTAINER MEANS OF THE TYPE INCLUDING SPACED RIDGE FORMATIONS, SAID HANDLE DEVICE COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF EQUIANGULARLY DISPOSED RADIAL ARM MEANS HAVING GRIPPING MEANS FOR USE IN COUPLING SAID HANDLE DEVICE TO SAID CONTAINER MEANS AT SAID RIDGE FORMATIONS; AND BRIDGE MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID RADIAL ARM MEANS INWARDLY OF SAID GRIPPING MEANS, INCLUDING A COMPARATIVELY RIGID CENTRAL PORTION FORMING A HUB FOR SAID RADIAL ARM MEANS AND INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE BAIL 